Big Changes Ahead as Independence Prepares to End Free Public Transit Rides

Big Changes Ahead for Public Transit in Independence

Independence, once the hub where residents could hop on a bus for free, is bracing for some major changes. For the past four years, commuting across the city aboard the Indy Bus system has cost passengers absolutely zero. But when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2024, that will all come to an end.

Riders Express Concerns

Daily commuters are feeling anxious as the city prepares to implement fare charges. Glenda Diane Williams, a regular rider, shared her worries: “It’s going to be impossible.” Williams relies heavily on the bus routes to get to essential places like the drug store and grocery store, and she’s especially concerned because she lives on a fixed income. “Some of these people on the council, and I’m not saying this in a mean or cruel way, they don’t worry about having to buy toilet paper,” she said with a hint of frustration.

The city of Independence previously received around $5.2 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds, which allowed them to keep the bus rides free. Sadly, that funding has run dry, and city officials aren’t optimistic about the prospects of reinstating fares that could cover operational costs, now estimated at nearly $3.5 million.

City Official Weighs In

Tom Scannell, the Independence community development director, was candid about the situation: “The cost of operation and labor has gone up significantly since 2019, and if we were to charge $3 fares again, it would only cover a portion of what the city is spending.” Instead of making a simple return to fare charges, city planners floated alternative solutions that might ease the transition.

New Plans for Public Transit

One of the primary changes discussed is the continuation of Route 24, which connects Independence to the Kansas City area. For para transit rides, a fee of $3 will be implemented along with a new service called IRIS micro-transit. This innovative system operates somewhat like a ride-sharing platform, meaning riders can request pickups via an app or by calling a number; however, there are stipulations: pickups must occur within 1/4 mile of the passenger’s location.

Each ride on the IRIS service will run a flat fee of $5, a shift that has left many citizens scratching their heads. “How are you going to go all over the city like a taxi cab?” one citizen questioned during a town hall meeting, echoing many others’ concerns about the practicality of the proposed services.

Will IRIS Meet Transit Demand?

Some, such as Anthony Cunningham, are skeptical that five vehicles in the IRIS system will adequately meet the needs of the nearly 300,000 bus rides Independence provides in a year. “I don’t understand at all how it’s going to soak up demand from all these folks who have to get places day in and day out,” Cunningham expressed, highlighting the uncertainty that surrounds these changes.

Activists Call for Action

The Sunrise Movement KC, an environmental advocacy group, has publicly condemned the cuts to public transit in Independence. They have urged local leaders to address the pressing need for funding in a region that serves a variety of adaptive transportation needs. “Young people with Sunrise Movement KC… demand Jackson County legislators take urgent action to fund the system within the region,” they stated firmly.

What’s Next for IRIS?

The president of KC operations with WHC Worldwide, which will oversee IRIS, reassured concerned residents during the town hall meeting. “We have the ability to scale up if all of a sudden the city of Independence decides they undershot with five cars; we can add four, five, 10 more cars the next day,” said Terry O’Toole, pointing out that the six-month trial for IRIS is set to kick off on January 1, 2025, and run through June 30, 2025.

The total estimated cost for this initiative is $480,000, with the city covering $420,000 of it, while the remainder will be collected from riders. It’s a critical juncture for the city, and officials assure there will be thorough evaluations based on data collected from riders throughout the trial period.

As the future of transportation in Independence hangs in the balance, many are left wondering if these changes will truly make a difference in their daily commutes.